A Golden Bears NFL mock draft

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It's that time of year where NFL fans, and college fans who care where their former players end up, get inundated with NFL mock drafts.

For those fans that truly enjoy mock drafts, they can't get enough.  Then there are the fans that get truly tired of reading about everybody's 'guess'.  For those fans, I truly apologize for what I'm about to do.

Here's my disclaimer.  All of the following paragraphs in this article are anything but accurate.  Unlike Mel Kiper, Todd McShay or Mike Mayock, I am in no way a draft guru.  However, as much as their guesses, mine is as good as anybody else.  The simple fact is, even the teams doing the drafting aren't 100% certain as to what they'll do when faced with their picks, let alone what the other teams will do.

So, with all of that said, let me explain how I put this together and made my picks.  First, I take into account the player's ratings as told by other 'experts' on the web.  Secondly, I adjust these ratings based on latest news, what we know about these players, and workout numbers.  Let's face it, ONLY Al Davis knew that Nnamdi Asomugha was a first-round cornerback when he was drafted.  Everyone else looked at him as a safety - and not a highly ranked one at that.  That's why team needs and tendencies will also be accounted for as best as can be.  After the draft, I'll come back to this article and see how I did.  I'm expecting it to be a little humbling so don't get too excited or angry if your opinion differs, though all suggestions and comments are gladly accepted.

Alex Mack OC/OG

RATED: ROUNDS 1-2
TEAMS REPORTED TO BE INTERESTED:  Arizona, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Green Bay, Miami, Minnesota, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Washington

Mack has been described as the best, "combination of brawns and brains in this draft."  It's difficult to argue that point when speaking of the two-time Morris Trophy winner and this year's Draddy Award winner.  The fact that nobody can seem to agree who the best center in this draft is makes the selection of Mack a murky prognostication.  Many pundits have been choosing between Mack, Oregon's Max Unger, and Louisville's Eric Wood.

One thing is certain, no center in this draft is rated higher than the 20th pick in the first round.  Since 1988, only seven centers have been drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, with the highest pick being Steve Everitt, by Cleveland with the 14th pick in 1993.  Surprising since the center is considered the quarterback of the offensive line.

Being that this is the 'Cal Bears' Examiner, we are going to rate Mack as the top center in the draft.  Then, we'll take out the teams that draft prior to pick number 20, because it would be a shock if Mack made it to the second round.  That leaves Arizona (31st), Baltimore (26th), Miami (25th), Minnesota (22nd), Philadelphia (21st and 28th), and Pittsburgh (32nd).  Out of those teams, both Baltimore (Matt Birk) and Miami (Jake Grove) have signed centers in the offseason so we'll rule them out.

That leaves Philadelphia with the 21st and 28th pick, Minnesota with the 22nd, Arizona with the 31st, and Pittsburgh with the final pick of the first round.  I don't think that Philadelphia is taking a center with the 21st pick, but I'm not convinced that they won't trade the pick to a team looking to draft ahead of Minnesota.  Judging a trade is too iffy.  The Eagles could trade both of their picks to move up in the first round or trade down to stockpile more picks, so I'm not going to consider a trade with this mock.

Minnesota lost longtime center Birk to Baltimore and they'll need someone to start right away.  Because of that, I don't think Mack will drop below the Purple People Eaters.

Cal Bears Examiner prediction:  Rd 1, Pick 22 - Minnesota Vikings

Cameron Morrah TE

RATED: ROUNDS 3-5
TEAMS REPORTED TO BE INTERESTED:  Arizona, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, New York Giants, Philadelphia, Seattle

Depending on who you listen to, Morrah is ranked between fifth and tenth of the available tight ends in this draft.  Since he's a junior, has one of the better forty times amongst tight ends, and has proven to be a pretty good red-zone threat, I'm projecting him to be the fifth or sixth tight end taken in the draft.

I think it helps that he follows in the footsteps of other successful Pac-10 tight ends such as Tony Gonzalez, Todd Heap, and Zach Miller.  Believe it or not, but NFL teams tend to draw from the same well.

That being said, Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Kansas City have the most needs of the teams I've listed.  Those needs will prevent them from drafting one of the top few tight ends in the draft - leaving Morrah a prime candidate for second-tier selection.  Detroit is far too inept to focus on a tight end before the fifth round so we'll rule them out.

So in a best case scenario, that leaves Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Kansas City.  I can't see a run on tight ends that includes Morrah until the fourth round.  Kansas City has the 102nd pick, followed by Cleveland's 104th and Cincinnati's 106th.  While the Chiefs still have Gonzalez right now, it's widely thought that he'll be traded before the beginning of next season.  Even if he's not traded, he's only going to be around another season in K.C..  This would give Morrah more than enough time to learn how to take his place.

Cal Bears Examiner prediction:  Rd 4, Pick 102 - Kansas City Chiefs

Zack Follett OLB/ILB

RATED: ROUNDS 4-6
TEAMS REPORTED TO BE INTERESTED:  Buffalo, Kansas City, Miami, New England, Pittsburgh, Oakland, San Francisco

Follett has been able to overcome the early whispers regarding his speed, or lack there of.  While he's still not as fast as many teams would like for an outside linebacker, he's perfectly suited for teams interested in football players moreso than workout wonders.  That being the case, Oakland is already out of the hunt, unless Follett falls to the seventh round or ends up not drafted.

Ironically, a player that Follett may remind people of is former Patriot and current Chiefs linebacker, Mike Vrabel.  Vrabel, thought to be undersized and too slow for the NFL, has flourished under Bill Bellichick's 3-4 system.  New England drafted four linebackers in the 2008 draft and came out with Jerrod Mayo as a starter.  The other three spots could be up for grabs and what they really need is a young Vrabel to rush the passer.

It may be a stretch, but I can't see a better fit for Follett in the NFL.

Cal Bears Examiner prediction:  Rd 4, Pick 124 - New England Patriots

Rulon Davis DE

RATED: ROUNDS 5-7
TEAMS REPORTED TO BE INTERESTED:  Carolina, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Miami, New England, New York Giants and Jets

Davis enters the pro game older than most players hoping to be drafted this year.  He'll be 26 by the time he takes his first NFL snap, which may turn some teams away from drafting him.  Besides having a good motor, he's strong and quick enough to play defensive end in the NFL.  His ability to stop the run and still rush the passer will come in handy to whoever drafts him.

While he is not as flashy or highly rated like other defensive ends in the draft, his maturity and his on-field play should attract teams willing to overlook his history of injuries.  What helps Davis is that he can handle the end in a 3-4 alignment as well as the 4-3.

With Julius Peppers possibly on his way out in Carolina and Tyler Brayton as the other starter on the line, Carolina looks like a good fit for Davis.  His ability to play the run is something that the Carolina defense covets.  If Peppers leaves, the Panthers may look for a defensive end much sooner than where Davis will be drafted, leaving him to fall elsewhere.

New coaches like to bring in THEIR players.  The New York Jets have a new coach and Rex Ryan happens to be a 3-4 defensive coach - an alignment that Davis played his senior season.  I can't see the Jets passing Davis up long enough for someone else to draft him.

Cal Bears Examiner prediction:  Rd 6, Pick 193 - New York Jets

Will Ta'ufo'ou

RATED: ROUNDS 6-UNDRAFTED
TEAMS REPORTED TO BE INTERESTED:  Cincinnati

Even though there isn't much reported interest in Ta'ufo'ou, he comes with high praise from anyone who's ever played with him or coached him.  That goes a long way when a team is looking to pick up a fullback since their stats rarely do them any justice.  The one stat that Ta'uof'ou can boast about is Cal's 1,000-yard backs while he was blocking for them.

Other fullbacks are rated higher than Ta'ufo'ou, but Cincinnati seems interested enough to select him.  The Bengals have plenty of needs, but they are desparate for a blocking fullback - something that Ta'ufo'ou is well adept at.

Being that Cincinnati has a very late seventh-round pick, I'll take a flyer for them on Ta'ufo'ou.

Cal Bears Examiner prediction:  Rd 7, Pick 252 - Cincinnati Bengals

Worrell Williams

RATED: ROUNDS 6-UNDRAFTED
TEAMS REPORTED TO BE INTERESTED:  Denver and San Francisco

I actually have Anthony Felder rated higher than Williams, but Williams has received some interest while Felder's interest has been kept a secret or non-existent.

Williams' older brother is D.J. Williams, starting outside linebacker for the Broncos.  Due to his lineage, it's possible that he'll end up in Denver, drafted or not.  San Francisco could be looking to sign him as an undrafted free-agent, which makes the most sense to me.

Given that his brother is a Bronco, I'll go against my belief that he'll go undrafted.

Cal Bears Examiner prediction:  Rd 7, Pick 235 - Denver Broncos

Anthony Felder
Nick Sundberg
Nate Longshore
Noris Malele

RATED: ROUNDS 6-UNDRAFTED
TEAMS REPORTED TO BE INTERESTED:  None known

Just because I don't have the 411 on teams interested in these guys, doesn't mean that there aren't any.  The NFL Draft is a poker game with all 32 teams bluffing and holding their real thoughts close to the vest.

As I said above, Anthony Felder is a player that I can see being drafted.  The only problem with that is, who?  He's a smallish linebacker that may find a home with a 3-4 team like the Dallas Cowboys or Cleveland Browns.  He has the measurables to help him slip into the sixth round, but lacks the notoriety and may need his agent to make some calls.

Nick Sundberg's ability to find a team will rely on which team is looking to upgrade their long-snapper position.  He should find a team in free agency, but it's highly unlikely that a team will draft him.

Noris Malele will have to find a team with open spots at the guard position.  He won't get drafted, but since he was part of a Cal offensive line that opened holes for Jahvid Best, it's likely a team will give him a shot to catch on.

The most intriguing player left is Nate Longshore.  Don't be surprised if he gets drafted by someone - New England did draft Matt Cassel who never started at USC and Tom Brady wasn't highly thought of coming out of college either.  It just so happens that the Patriots have an opening for a backup quarterback.  Two years ago, Longshore was considered the best quarterback of this class and he was a big-time recruit coming out of high school.

Some might wonder why I bring up his recruitment out of high school.  NFL teams scout those players too.  If Longshore were to be drafted, he wouldn't be the first college underachiever to be drafted on potential.  More than likely, he'll be working to get a free-agent contract after the draft.

Cal Bears Examiner prediction:  Undrafted Free Agents